On Friday, local Rep. Albio Sires, who grew up in West New York, responded to hazy allegations involving Sen. Robert Menendez that were reported in the press last week. Last week, the Miami Herald and other publications were investigating whether a major campaign donor in Florida, who was under investigation, flew Menendez to the Dominican Republic and helped arrange liaisons with prostitutes.

On Saturday, the Herald said that none of the people supposedly involved could be tracked down, and that there were few new facts in the case. They called the main source of the allegations a "shadowy tipster."

Sires wrote in his release: "Senator Robert Menendez has been a colleague and a friend for many years. We have worked closely together on many issues affecting New Jersey residents. At all times I have found Senator Menendez to be hard working and a dedicated public servant. These attacks on the Senator were first delivered before the Senators reelection this past November. I believe the attacks were an attempt to block the Senator from becoming Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. This is a very powerful post in Washington.

"Yesterday the Senator and his office made it clear that the salacious allegations are false. The source of these allegations appears to be an anonymous tipster that spends its time delivering partisan attacks.

"It is my belief that these allegations will soon be put to rest so the Senator can continue to do what the people of New Jersey elected him to do.

"I look forward to continuing to work with Senator Menendez on issues of vital concern to our constituents."